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CPT 76873: Transrectal Prostate Ultrasound for Brachytherapy Planning

CPT code 76873 denotes a transrectal ultrasound used to evaluate prostate size and shape specifically for planning brachytherapy. This diagnostic imaging code is nationally relevant because it supports precise localization and volumetric assessment needed for prostate brachytherapy, affecting clinical planning and downstream billing for radiation oncology services. The code is distinct from the actual brachytherapy planning or treatment, which are reported separately.

Key payers commonly referenced in national analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context, coding boundaries, and common billing considerations. The publication outlines typical sites of service and the role of this ultrasound in the care pathway for patients undergoing prostate brachytherapy. It also highlights areas where policy updates or payer-specific coverage rules can affect utilization and claims processing.

The report provides benchmarks and policy-relevant details to help coding teams and revenue-cycle staff understand when 76873 is appropriate, how it fits with related services, and what payers often expect in documentation. Data not available in the input.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 76873 describes a transrectal ultrasound performed to assess the size and shape of the prostate for the purpose of planning brachytherapy treatment. The procedure documents sonographic imaging of the prostate anatomy to inform therapy planning; the actual brachytherapy planning or delivery is not reported with this code.

Service Type: Diagnostic imaging for prostate brachytherapy planning

Typical Site of Service: Outpatient imaging department, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital outpatient setting

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CPT 76873: Transrectal Prostate Ultrasound for Brachytherapy Planning

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Get alerted when payer policies referencing 76873 are released or updated.

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Billing Code Overview

Service Type: Diagnostic imaging for prostate brachytherapy planning

Typical Site of Service: Outpatient imaging department, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital outpatient setting

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old male with biopsy-proven intermediate-risk prostate adenocarcinoma is scheduled for prostate brachytherapy. The radiation oncologist orders a transrectal ultrasound to measure prostate volume, contour gland margins, and assess seminal vesicle position to plan seed placement and dosimetry. In the radiology or radiation oncology outpatient procedure suite, the patient is placed in the left lateral decubitus position. After consent and local anesthesia (periprostatic nerve block), a transrectal ultrasound probe is inserted to obtain axial and sagittal images through the prostate. Measurements and images are recorded and transmitted to the brachytherapy planning system; this ultrasound mapping for treatment planning is reported with 76873. The actual brachytherapy planning and subsequent implantation are reported separately. Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital-based or free-standing radiation oncology clinic or ambulatory surgery center. Typical clinical workflow includes pre-procedure evaluation, informed consent, ultrasound imaging for treatment planning, image transfer to the treatment planning team, and scheduling of the implantation procedure.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	When billing physician/radiation oncologist reports the professional interpretation portion separate from technical services
`TC`	Technical component	When the facility or equipment owner bills for the technical portion of the ultrasound
`59`	Distinct procedural service	When `76873` is performed in the same session as an unrelated procedure and must be identified as separate
`52`	Reduced services	When the ultrasound is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned
`53`	Discontinued procedure	When the procedure is started but terminated due to unforeseen circumstances
`62`	Two surgeons	Rarely used — when two surgeons/share responsibility and documentation supports concurrent performance of the planning ultrasound
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider (note: `76` is not in input list)	Data not available in the input.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period	When an unplanned intraoperative return is required for additional planning imaging during the same global period
`80`	Assistant surgeon	When an assistant surgeon documents participation in the procedure (less common for ultrasound planning)
`66`	Surgical team (note: `66` not in input list)	Data not available in the input.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2084P0800X`	Radiation Oncologist	Primary specialty performing brachytherapy planning and prostate ultrasound interpretation
`208D00000X`	Diagnostic Radiologist	May perform or interpret transrectal ultrasound imaging for prostate when consulted
`363A00000X`	Urologist	Often performs prostate ultrasound for staging and procedural planning
`207L00000X`	Interventional Radiologist	May be involved in ultrasound-guided procedures related to prostate intervention
`208000000X`	Radiology Group	Facilities billing technical component may use radiology practice taxonomies

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C61`	Malignant neoplasm of prostate	Primary diagnosis indicating prostate cancer for which brachytherapy planning with `76873` is performed
`D40.0`	Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of prostate	May prompt imaging for planning if definitive treatment with brachytherapy is being considered
`N41.9`	Prostatitis, unspecified	Acute inflammatory conditions may affect timing or feasibility of transrectal ultrasound planning
`N40`	Benign prostatic hyperplasia	Enlarged prostate can affect seed placement and dosimetry; ultrasound assesses gland size
`Z12.5`	Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of prostate	Screening context may lead to diagnostic imaging and subsequent planning if cancer is confirmed

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`55870`	Interstitial radiation implants; simple (e.g., for prostate)	Code for the brachytherapy implantation procedure that typically follows planning with `76873`
`55875`	Placement of temporary brachytherapy sources into the prostate	Used for temporary seed or high-dose-rate source placement after ultrasound-based planning
`51798`	Injection procedure for prostate localization (e.g., fiducial marker placement)	May be performed prior to or during planning to facilitate image-guided brachytherapy
`76830`	Ultrasound, transvaginal or transrectal (non-obstetric), real-time with image documentation; limited	Alternative ultrasound code for limited transrectal imaging when full planning study is not performed
`77261`	Radiation therapy planning, complex	The dosimetry and treatment planning process that uses images from `76873` to create the brachytherapy plan

CPT 76870: Scrotal Ultrasound to Evaluate Testes

CPT-76872-TRANSRECTAL-ULTRASOUND-PROSTATE-EVALUATION

CPT 76872: Transrectal Ultrasound of Prostate and Rectum

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	When billing physician/radiation oncologist reports the professional interpretation portion separate from technical services
`TC`	Technical component	When the facility or equipment owner bills for the technical portion of the ultrasound
`59`	Distinct procedural service	When `76873` is performed in the same session as an unrelated procedure and must be identified as separate
`52`	Reduced services	When the ultrasound is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned
`53`	Discontinued procedure	When the procedure is started but terminated due to unforeseen circumstances
`62`	Two surgeons	Rarely used — when two surgeons/share responsibility and documentation supports concurrent performance of the planning ultrasound
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider (note: `76` is not in input list)	Data not available in the input.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period	When an unplanned intraoperative return is required for additional planning imaging during the same global period
`80`	Assistant surgeon	When an assistant surgeon documents participation in the procedure (less common for ultrasound planning)
`66`	Surgical team (note: `66` not in input list)	Data not available in the input.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2084P0800X`	Radiation Oncologist	Primary specialty performing brachytherapy planning and prostate ultrasound interpretation
`208D00000X`	Diagnostic Radiologist	May perform or interpret transrectal ultrasound imaging for prostate when consulted
`363A00000X`	Urologist	Often performs prostate ultrasound for staging and procedural planning
`207L00000X`	Interventional Radiologist	May be involved in ultrasound-guided procedures related to prostate intervention
`208000000X`	Radiology Group	Facilities billing technical component may use radiology practice taxonomies

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C61`	Malignant neoplasm of prostate	Primary diagnosis indicating prostate cancer for which brachytherapy planning with `76873` is performed
`D40.0`	Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of prostate	May prompt imaging for planning if definitive treatment with brachytherapy is being considered
`N41.9`	Prostatitis, unspecified	Acute inflammatory conditions may affect timing or feasibility of transrectal ultrasound planning
`N40`	Benign prostatic hyperplasia	Enlarged prostate can affect seed placement and dosimetry; ultrasound assesses gland size
`Z12.5`	Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of prostate	Screening context may lead to diagnostic imaging and subsequent planning if cancer is confirmed

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`55870`	Interstitial radiation implants; simple (e.g., for prostate)	Code for the brachytherapy implantation procedure that typically follows planning with `76873`
`55875`	Placement of temporary brachytherapy sources into the prostate	Used for temporary seed or high-dose-rate source placement after ultrasound-based planning
`51798`	Injection procedure for prostate localization (e.g., fiducial marker placement)	May be performed prior to or during planning to facilitate image-guided brachytherapy
`76830`	Ultrasound, transvaginal or transrectal (non-obstetric), real-time with image documentation; limited	Alternative ultrasound code for limited transrectal imaging when full planning study is not performed
`77261`	Radiation therapy planning, complex	The dosimetry and treatment planning process that uses images from `76873` to create the brachytherapy plan

CPT 76870: Scrotal Ultrasound to Evaluate Testes

CPT-76872-TRANSRECTAL-ULTRASOUND-PROSTATE-EVALUATION

CPT 76872: Transrectal Ultrasound of Prostate and Rectum

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 76873: Transrectal Prostate Ultrasound for Brachytherapy Planning

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 76873: Transrectal Prostate Ultrasound for Brachytherapy Planning

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 76873: Transrectal Prostate Ultrasound for Brachytherapy Planning

Sign up for cpt 76873 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 76873: Transrectal Prostate Ultrasound for Brachytherapy Planning

Sign up for cpt 76873 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 76873 represent and how does it relate to brachytherapy planning?

Which modifiers are commonly used with 76873 and when should they be applied?

Where is 76873 typically performed and what is the usual clinical workflow?

Which related CPT codes should coders consider when 76873 is performed during the brachytherapy care pathway?

Which specialties and taxonomy codes are associated with performing and billing 76873?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 76873 represent and how does it relate to brachytherapy planning?

Which modifiers are commonly used with 76873 and when should they be applied?

Where is 76873 typically performed and what is the usual clinical workflow?

Which related CPT codes should coders consider when 76873 is performed during the brachytherapy care pathway?

Which specialties and taxonomy codes are associated with performing and billing 76873?

References